But Sherwood was already believed to have been dismayed by Vertonghen’s public claim that he will consider his future if the north Londoners fail to reach the ­Champions League.

Vertonghen, 26, has also complained in the media about having to fill in at left-back – and he was back in that ­unfavoured role at Chelsea.

It is believed Sherwood had Vertonghen in mind when he spoke before Thursday’s Europa League defeat by Benfica of players ‘who feel they are doing the club a favour by playing for them’.

Spurs had indicated they were willing to offer the former Ajax man a significant pay rise to keep him at White Hart Lane this summer but the player is not believed to be willing to discuss new terms.

His current deal runs for two more years but Liverpool are known to be interested , while there have also been suggestions that Manchester City may want to pair him with Belgian­ ­international team-mate Vincent Kompany at the heart of their defence.

Even Vertonghen’s friends admit he was disappointed at the extended run he’s had at left-back, as the player had thought this was only going to be a stop-gap measure.

Perhaps that explains ­Sherwood’s complaints about the defender’s body language.

Sherwood also roasted his players publicly after the Chelsea defeat and then admitted that the ‘silence had been deafening’ from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over his own future.

Sherwood, who agreed an 18-month deal in January to succeed Andre Villas-Boas, has since been telling his players he will be around next season, in a bid to ensure he is not thought of as a lame-duck manager.

But before Sunday's derby against Arsenal , some players are saying they are convinced Holland boss Louis van Gaal’s summer move to Spurs is as good as sealed.

Tottenham have spoken to Van Gaal about the job and the Dutchman is keen to move to the Premier League.

Sherwood’s realistic hopes of being in charge next season look to be over, unless Spurs overturn their 3-1 deficit against Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday.

Yet van Gaal will bide his time before committing as he is also on the radar of Manchester United, should they dispense with David Moyes.